There are so many neighborhoods to love in Washington, D.C., but there's one District locale that caught Time Out's attention this year. This year, Mount Pleasant cracked our list of the coolest neighborhoods in the world.
RECOMMENDED: The coolest neighborhoods in the world
To come up with the list, our global network of local editors and writers considered community, local flavor, culture, street life, arts, drink, food, and green spaces. According to Grace Beard, Time Out's Travel Editor based in London, cool neighborhoods in 2024 are "places that reflect the very best of their cities – its culture, community spirit, nightlife, food and drink – all condensed in one vibey, walkable district." Mount Pleasant landed at number 29 on the list of 38 neighborhoods.
How did Mount Pleasant make the list? Situated north of Adams Morgan and next to Columbia Heights, the neighborhood became a multicultural melting pot from the ’60s onward thanks to many Central American, African and Vietnamese immigrants putting down roots. This influence is reflected in the fantastic cuisine and many cultural happenings in Mount Pleasant. Mount Pleasant Street is a foodie paradise packed with locally-owned restaurants that celebrate the neighborhood’s immigrant heritage; these include beloved family-run gems and Michelin Guide picks. Wander through its streets and you're bound to happen upon a popup art exhibit, live music, or a demonstration of some kind.
Though it’s starting to see heavy development, residents fiercely love and protect Mount Pleasant and its character, and community-building plays a central role in living in this part of town. All this beauty extends to the physical, as well; the streets are lined with colorful row homes and murals, plus Mount Pleasant is bounded on the west by Rock Creek Park, an 1,800 acre local gem of a green space. Wander Mount Pleasant and you'll quickly realize why Mount Pleasant Main Street, a community organization dedicated to the neighborhood's success, calls it "a village in the city."
How to have the perfect day in Mount Pleasant, Washington, D.C.
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Start the day in line for one of the excellent breakfast tacos at La Tejana, before walking two doors down for coffee at Ellē (if you're not too full, grab a guava turnover, too). Take your food across the street to Lamont Plaza, and be sure to stop by the Mount Pleasant Farmers’ Market if it's a Saturday.
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Walk around to spot all the colorful murals. Next, hit Each Peach, Nido Wine Shop+Market and Bold Fork Books for some shopping.
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Nosh on pupusas for lunch at longtime neighborhood haunt Don Juan Restaurant, then hop on a Capital Bikeshare bike and zip through Rock Creek Park.
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Have dinner at Filipino gem Purple Patch before a nightcap at OKPB and a movie at homey Suns Cinema.
When to visit Mount Pleasant
Be sure your visit includes Saturday so you don't miss one of the city's best-stocked and liveliest farmers markets. The fall months (late September, October, and early November) are great times to visit because these are the months when a bevy of cultural happenings take over the streets—Art All Night, Halloween and Día de los Muertos.
See the full list of Time Out's 38 Coolest Neighborhoods in the World in 2024 below and here. Click through for more details from Time Out's local experts about why each spot made the cut.
Time Out's 38 coolest neighborhoods in the world:
1. Notre-Dame-du-Mont, Marseille, France
2. Mers Sultan, Casablanca, Morocco
3. Pererenan, Bali, Indonesia
4. Seongsu-dong, Seoul, South Korea
5. Kerns, Portland, Ore.
6. Stokes Croft and St. Paul's, Bristol, UK
7. Chippendale, Sydney, Australia
8. Príncipe Real, Lisbon, Portugal
9. Glória, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
10. Windsor, Melbourne, Australia
11. Zabłocie, Kraków, Poland
12. Little River, Miami
13. Saint-Henri, Montreal, Canada
14. Punavuori, Helsinki, Finland
15. Gakugeidaigaku, Tokyo, Japan
16. Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
17. Flatbush, New York
18. Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany
19. East City, Cape Town, South Africa
20. Belleville, Paris, France
21. Northbridge, Perth, Australia
22. Strathbungo, Glasgow, Scotland
23. Chacarita, Buenos Aires, Argentina
24. Leyton, London, UK
25. Inchicore, Dublin, Ireland
26. East Hollywood, Los Angeles
27. Ekkamai, Bangkok, Thailand
28. San Rafael, Mexico City, Mexico
29. Mount Pleasant, Washington, D.C.
30. Bonfim, Porto, Portugal
31. Palace District, Budapest, Hungary
32. Brewerytown, Philadelphia
33. Kowloon City, Hong Kong
34. Logan Square, Chicago
35. Norwood, Adelaide, Australia
36. Osu, Accra, Ghana
37. Orchard, Singapore
38. Union Square, Somerville, Mass.